In tight playoff games, it can be hard to remember you’re supposed to be having fun. After all, while battling against fellow football players, you’re still playing what is, in essence, a game.
Perhaps no one embodies this mentality better than the San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle. The Pro Bowl tight end not only comes through in big spots — leaving his star teammates speechless in the process — he also celebrates like the best of them.
After running back Christian McCaffrey scored the clinching touchdown that sent San Francisco to the NFC title game, he spiked the ball. The ball flew so high in the air that Kittle noticed it and decided to hilariously fair-catch it to celebrate. After Kittle got the ball within his grasp, he found 49ers legend Jerry Rice sitting nearby and gave it to him as a gift.
Naturally, as a baller back in his day who still stays close to San Francisco, Rice seemed to really appreciate Kittle’s gesture:
Kittle caught McCaffrey's post-TD spike and gave it to Jerry Rice 👏🙌@gkittle46 pic.twitter.com/aXZ9d0YlbR
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 23, 2023
Rice knows a thing or two about celebrating big-time touchdowns, whether he was doing the scoring or not. Still, Kittle’s nod seemed to mean plenty to the “GOAT” receiver in a monumental postseason game.
With the 49ers playing the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in the NFC title game Sunday, Rice will probably want to see more creative joy from Kittle and friends. According to bettors, San Francisco is a slight underdog at the time of this writing, painting the picture of a conference championship matchup that should be an absolute slugfest.
Regardless of whether San Francisco actually comes out on top, it’s apparent Kittle will try and have a blast of a time.
NFL fans loved Kittle celebrating the 49ers' winning TD with Jerry Rice
— BILLY BROWN (@SonofOJ1) January 24, 2023
This was so coo l!!!! https://t.co/zKOxLQvucC
— Lulucaliente (@Lulucaliente) January 23, 2023
Classy move @gkittle46 Way to honor a legend @JerryRice ♥️💛 https://t.co/JgpGZEeeDm
— Chief Durham (@melodie_durham) January 23, 2023
My new favorite player giving the ball to one of my ALL time favorite players! Jerry Rice, Mississippi native! https://t.co/oOblwEwQYF
— Lauren Hall (@lauren1717) January 23, 2023
The People's Tightend!
The combo of toughness and joy in @gkittle46 is unmatched https://t.co/TCKTFbW96V
— Max Nelson-Gal (@SharksFan42) January 23, 2023
wow this ball seemed to just STICK to Jerry 😏 https://t.co/pGqN0HfgEg
— Murph (@TMurph207) January 23, 2023
I really love this. My idols https://t.co/tcjVjgMv0Q
— NoEyeD (@1noeyed) January 23, 2023
Jerry Rice hasn’t forgotten how to catch….. https://t.co/loZPncgDoq
— Garreth Aspinall (@GarrethAspinall) January 23, 2023
Incredibly cool!!!!!! https://t.co/VsiPBo8oMS
— patrick (@KnabokovMusic) January 23, 2023
Not me tearing up every time they show the goat Jerry in the telecast. https://t.co/ybM4LnxDyU
— brian huntington (@NotZombies) January 23, 2023
Oh that’s cool. https://t.co/wdCpdIAp7w
— Matthew Dahlberg (@M_Broski21) January 23, 2023
